Friday, December 4, 2015

Express Derail Vipers 5-1

On paper, it should have been anyone’s game as two mediocre B.C. Hockey League teams faced off Wednesday night at the Poirier Sports & Leisure Centre in Coquitlam.

Michigan product Tyger Howat, however, loves playing the Vernon Vipers and the 20-year-old was the difference in a 5-1 Express win before 375 fans.

Howat, who has played for eight teams in five different leagues over the last three seasons, turned aside 41 shots as he beat the Vipers for a second time. The Express derailed the Vipers 4-3 in overtime back on Sept. 18 at Kal Tire Place.

“Their goalie played really well,” said Viper second-year winger Jagger Williamson. “There was one shift where we had seven shots in 20 seconds and he stood on his head. We just couldn’t catch a break. He beat us in Vernon so I guess he’s got our number.”

Viper starter Andrew Shortridge allowed four goals on 17 shots before being relieved by Brendan Barry at the start of the third period. Barry gave up one goal on eight shots.

Coquitlam improved to 12-12-1-3.

The Vipers had another team meeting early Thursday afternoon, further stressing the importance of good starts and attention to detail.

Alex Ambrosio knocked in his own rebound 2:43 after the national anthem for his fifth, while Austin McIlMurray made it 2-0 off a quick pass by Colton Kerfoot five minutes later. McIlMurray, a Florida product, has goals in three of the last five games and 11 on the season.

Shortridge made a big breakaway save off Cam Bertsch and Charlie Barrow moments later with the Express shorthanded.

Howat recorded 15 saves for the Express in the first period, his finest coming in the dying seconds on a Vernon power play.

The Snakes (13-16-0-2) Vernon enjoyed a 5-on-3 power play for 74 seconds with d-man Latrell Charleson ringing a shot off the cross bar.

“Sacco hit a post too,” said Williamson. “The effort was there. The majority of the game was spent in their end. We talked at the meeting about how the schedule’s not going to get any easier so we have to stick to our systems and good things will happen.”

Jack Surowiec was hit with a pass coming out of the penalty box by Jarell Pinchuk and Surowiec converted his fourth on the breakaway.

Howat delivered 13 saves in the middle frame with the Express getting eight shots. Kerfoot converted his 13th on the powerplay with 13 seconds left in the period, making it 4-0.

Barry was beat by Cam Bertsch with a shot that appeared to surprise the Viper goalie off a face-off, 3:11 into the third. Bertsch has four goals.

D-man Darren Rizzolo, with his second, scored Vernon’s goal on a power play 4:58 into the third.

SNAKE BITES: Viper F Hunter Zandee fought Jake Brien to a draw late in the first period...F Christian Cakebread and D Mac Ferner missed the game due to injuries...The Vipers have lost four straight...Nick Jones scored twice as the Vees iced the visiting Merritt Centennials 5-3 Wednesday night. Vernon’s Brett Jewell had 2A for the Cents.

1990 & 1991 Vernon Lakers Inducted Into Okanagan Sports Hall Of Fame

The 1969-70 & 1971-72 Vernon Essos were inducted into the Okanagan Sports Hall of Fame in November 2014

1999 Vernon Vipers Inducted Into BC Hockey Hall Of Fame

The 1999 Vernon Vipers were inducted into the BC Hockey Hall of Fame In July 2016

On December 2nd 2017 the Vernon Vipers honoured the 1956 Vernon Canadians and former Vernon Esso's legend Wayne Dye. The 1956 Vernon Canadians Allen Cup banner along side Wayne Dye's #8 Legends banner were raised to the rafters at Kal Tire Place

Kal Tire Place-Home to the Okanagan Sports Hall of Fame

The Okanagan Sports Hall of Fame was established in 1982 through the vision of Vernon resident and sports enthusiast, Nick Alexis. With the support of Vernon City Council, Alexis and a dedicated group of volunteers created a series of outdoor exhibits celebrating the region’s dynamic sporting history in Vernon’s Cenotaph Park. That same year, the new organization unveiled its first round of inductees to the Hall of Fame. Several years later, in 2001, the Hall of Fame moved its exhibits into the newly constructed Vernon Multiplex now known as Kal Tire Place.

About Me

I first created this blog in November of 2008. This coming season will be my ninth season doing this blog. I was born and raised in Vernon, BC and have been going to Junior Hockey games in Vernon since I was a young child. I purchased my first set of season tickets in 1990
I have had season tickets for the last 26 years, Since 1990 I have missed 42 home games.
In September of 2009 I missed my first home game since 2002-03 wich my streak of 236 straight Vipers home games came to an end. Ive missed just three Vipers home games since the 1998-1999 season.
I worked with the Vipers back in 2003-04 as colour comentator helping out with a few games over the internet. In 2011 I helped deisgn, create and put together the Vipers new website for the 2011-12 season. I ran and updated the Vipers website for five seasons, keeping all staff bios and pictures updated, adding new game photos, doing a game preview on game days, as well as adding any Vipers news, scores or BCHL news through out the season.
Over the years I have travelled to Victoria, Dauphin & Camrose to watch the Vipers in the RBC Cup. I was also at the 1990 Centennial Cup & 2014 RBC Cup in Vernon.